Services of the Life-Boats. Reported to the September and October Meetings of the Committee of Management
Reported to the September and October Meetings of the Committee of Management.
September Meeting.
Galway Bay, Co. Galway. — The motor life-boat William Evans was launched at 11 A.M. on the 17th April, in response to a call from the mainland for the Parish Priest, when owing to the weather conditions no other suit- able boat was available.—No expense to the Institution.
Bridlington, Yorkshire. — On the evening of the 24th June the coxswain was informed that a motor cruiser was in difficulties with her engine broken down, about sixteen miles south of Brid- lington. Some time later the Withern- sea coastguard telephoned that the boat was drifting towards the beach, and that the weather was getting very bad.
The motor life-boat Stanhope Smart was launched at 11.45 P.M. in a strong N.E.
breeze, with a rough sea and rain. She reached the motor cruiser, the St.
Leonard, at 1.45 A.M. The motor cruiser had dropped her anchor, but it was dragging, and the seas were break- ing over her. The life-boat anchored, and with great difficulty veered along- side. Although constantly filled by the • heavy seas, she rescued the two men on board. She then returned to her station, arriving back at 5 A.M. The St.
Leonard became a total wreck.—Re- wards, £15 1*.
Flamborough, Yorkshire. — The fish- ing boats were out on the 7th July, and by noon bad weather had set in. A moderate E.S.E. gale was blowing, with a heavy sea. The coxswain was told by fishermen coming ashore that the local coble Quest was still at sea and in a bad position. The No. 1 pulling and sailing life-boat Forester was launched, found the Quest some distance out and escorted her into safety. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 2.30 P.M.
—Rewards, £13 2s. Qd.
New Brighton, Cheshire. — At 7.50 P.M. on the 9th July a telephone mes- sage was received from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Office that the Crosby lightship had reported a fishing boat ashore in a dangerous position near C.2 Black Buoy in the Crosby Channel. A strong S.S.W.
breeze was blowing, the sea was rough, and it was raining heavily. The motor life-boat William and Kate Johnston put out and learned from the Crosby lightship that the boat had been washed over the revetment. The life-boat went round the revetment, but could not go alongside the fishing boat, the Mona, of Liverpool, as the water was too shallow. She returned to the Channel and borrowed a small motor boat belonging to the Mersey Docks steamer Salvor. With the aid of this two men were taken off the Mona, which was then towed clear. The life- boat took the remaining four men off the Mona, and towed the fishing boat back to New Brighton, arriving at 12.15 A.M.—Rewards, £9.
The Humber, Yorkshire. — Several small yachts visited Spurn on the 9th July. After they had set out again a heavy squall sprang up and one of the yachts—the Alice, of Grimsby— drifted aground on the Trinity Sand.
A strong, squally breeze was blowing with a choppy sea, and it was raining.
The boat was seen from the life-boat station and the motor life-boat City of Bradford No. 1 was launched at 4 P.M.
She found that the three men on board the Alice had got on to the Trinity Sand, which is entirely surrounded by water.
The Alice was towed off, and the men were taken off by an Easington coble, that was fishing nearby, and trans- ferred to the life-boat. The men and their boat were then taken to Grimsby by the life-boat, which returned to her station at 7.30 P.M.—Permanent Crew, Rewards, 6*.
Padstow, Cornwall.-—The No. 1 motor life-boat John and Sarah Eliza Stych was launched at 10.41 A.M. on the 9th July, as a telephone message had been received from the coastguard that a small sailing boat was drifting towards Pentire Head. A moderate W.S.W.
breeze was blowing with a slight swell.
The life-boat found the old St. Ives fishing boat May Flower anchored about 200 yards off Pentire Head, with one man aboard. The boat had left Pad- stow, where she had been laid up for about a year, in a fair wind, but had got into difficulties in a very dangerous position. The life-boat towed her clear of danger and then returned to her station, arriving back at 12 noon.— Rewards, £4 19s. Qd.
Swanage, Dorset.—During the after- noon of the 10th July the coastguard telegraphed that a small motor boat had broken down one mile south of the Southbourne coastguard station. She was the motor boat Skylark, of Poole, and was bound, with four men and two women on board, from Littlehampton to Poole. A moderate W.S.W. gale was blowing with a rough sea. The motor life-boat Thomas Markby was launched at 4 P.M. and when abreast of Bournemouth pier saw the pleasure steamer Lorna Doone also heading in the direction of the motor boat. The Lorna Doone arrived first and was taking her in tow when the life-boat came up, so she cast her off and the life-boat picked her up and towed her safely to Poole quay.—Rewards, £18 13s. Qd.
Lynmouth, Devon.—About midday on the 13th July a telephone message was received from the Foreland light- house that a small boat was in distress off the Foreland. A strong and in- creasing W.S.W. breeze was blowing, and a rough sea was getting up. The pulling and sailing life-boat Prichard Frederick Gainer was launched at 12.45 P.M., and found the outboard motor boat Wild Rose, of Lynmouth, in a dangerous position, with her engine broken down. A man and a woman were on board. They were taken into the life-boat and the motor boat was taken in tow. By this time the wind had risen considerably, and several seas broke on board the life-boat during the journey home. She arrived back at her station at 2.10 P.M.—Rewards, £14 6s. 6d.
Appledore, Devon.—Just after mid- night on the 18th-19th July news was received that a small motor fishing boat, with four visitors on board, was missing. The boat had last been seen near the harbour bar. She had no compass, and, as a thick fog had come on, it was decided to send out the motor life-boat V.C.S. to search for her. There was no wind and the sea was calm when the life-boat was launched at 12.18 A.M. With the aid of her search-light she felt her way over the bar, and when she neared the Fair- way buoy a flare was seen. Closing in, she found the motor boat made fast to the buoy. Her petrol supply had been exhausted, and the occupants were helpless. They were taken into the life-boat and their boat was taken in tow, and the life-boat arrived back at her station through the dense fog and landed the party at 2.5 A.M. One of the boat's occupants sent a letter of thanks to the coxswain and crew, and made them a present of money in gratitude for their help.—Rewards, £13 7s.
Selsey, Sussex.—On the 20th July news was received from the coastguard that a small speed-boat appeared to be in distress about three miles W.S.W.
from Bill Tower look-out. The occu- pants were waving a coat or flag. The motor life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 5.53 P.M. in a gentle W.N.W. breeze with a smooth sea.
She found that the boat was the White Cloud II, bound, with four people on ' board, from Dover to Portsmouth on speed trials. She had had engine trouble, and had run out of petrol.
The life-boat towed her into Selsey, and arrived back at her station at 6.45 P.M.—Property Salvage Case.
Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. — On the afternoon of the 27th July a strong and squally N. wind suddenly got up, with a rough sea. A small sailing boat, with one man on board, was seen about two and a half miles S.E. of the Gimblet Rock, making very little headway against the wind and tide. Later she started to drift to leeward, and the motor life-boat William McPherson was launched at 4 P.M., the honorary secretary accompanying her. She picked the boat up and towed her into Pwllheli harbour. The man on board was an ex-coxswain of the life-boat.
The life-boat arrived back at her station at 5 P.M.—Rewards, £2 13s.
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. — The motor life-boat White Star was launched at 9.15 P.M. on the 27th July, as the coastguard had telephoned that a motor fishing boat was in distress about eighty yards oft the rocks E.S.E. of Kemmaes Head. A moderate N. wind was blowing. The sea was moderate, but with heavy breakers near the shore. The life-boat found the motor fishing boat Kia Ora, of Cardigan, at anchor on a lee shore. She had been fishing, with a crew of two men and a boy, but had had to drop anchor be- cause her motor was not powerful enough to combat the wind and sea.
Her anchor had dragged a considerable distance before the life-boat, after much careful manoeuvring among the rocks, managed to reach her. The life- boat towed her to a safe anchorage at Fishguard, saving both the boat and her crew. She arrived back at her station at 3.45 A.M. on the 28th, but could not be rehoused until daylight, owing to the heavy swell.—Rewards, £8 8s.
Hythe, Kent.—During the afternoon of the 28th July the Sandgate coast- guard telephoned that a yacht with engine trouble was dragging her anchors off Cock Point, near Folkestone. A strong S.W. breeze was blowing, with a rough sea. The motor life-boat City of Nottingham was launched at 3.15 P.M., and found the yacht to be the Leonora Minnie, of Brixham, with five people on board bound for Scarborough for the tunny fishing. The life-boatmen went aboard to help lift the anchors, but found that the winch had broken down. A tow rope was then passed to the yacht, she slipped her anchors, and the life-boat towed her into Folke- stone. A Folkestone fishing trawler came out and also gave her help. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 5.50 P.M. Mr. G. S. Woodman, joint honorary secretary, accompanied the life-boat on service. Men of the 2nd Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment helped to launch the life-boat, and later all ranks contributed to a collection for the Institution.—Rewards, £9 17*.
Swanage, Dorset—On the 30th July the motor yacht Maudalric, of London, with seven people on board, had engine trouble when she was about a mile S.W.
of St. Aldhelm's Head. A strong S.W.
breeze was blowing, with a moderate sea, and it was raining. The coast- guard saw the yacht, and the motor life-boat Thomas Markby was launched to her help at 7 P.M. She found that the yacht was making a little headway under an improvised sail, and escorted her as far as Studland Bay. The yacht then made for Poole, and the life-boat returned to her station, ar- riving back at 9.15 P.M. The honorary secretary and the assistant honorary secretary of the branch went on service in the life-boat.—Rewards, £11 4s.
Weymouth, Dorset.—At 4.45 AiM. on the 31st July the coastguard telephoned that a yacht near the breakwater light- house was burning distress signals. A moderate W. gale was blowing, with a rough sea, and the weather was thick.
The motor life-boat William and Clara Ryland was launched at 5 A.M. and found the yacht to be the Heron, of Dublin. She was pleasure cruising from Poole, with four people on board, and had anchored in Portland Harbour, but her anchor was dragging and she was being carried towards the break- water. A tug from Portland also put out to the rescue, but became disabled herself and had to anchor. The life- boat saved the yacht by towing her into Weymouth harbour, and arrived back at her station at 7 A.M.—Rewards, £6 13s.
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—On the 31st July the barge Audrey, of London, with a crew of two, had her sails carried away in the Whitaker channel, while bound from London to Rochford with a cargo of wheat. A moderate to strong S.W. gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The coastguard passed news to Clacton and the motor life- boat Edward Z. Dresden was launched at 8.15 A.M. Some of the life-boat crew went aboard the barge, a tem- porary sail was rigged up, and the barge made for Harwich, accompanied by the life-boat. The life-boat arrived home at 7 P.M., having been out on service for nearly eleven hours. Her help undoubtedly saved the barge and her crew from destruction.—Property Salvage Case.
Seaham Harbour, Co. Durham.— The motor life-boat Elliot Galer was launched at 11.45 A.M. on the 1st August, as the coastguard had tele- phoned that the sailing boat Nelly, of Leith, with one man on board, had capsized and sunk two miles south of Seaham, and two miles off shore. A moderate northerly wind was blowing with a heavy ground swell. The life- boat found that three men had put out from the shore in a rowing boat and rescued the man. He was transferred to the life-boat, which towed the rescuers' boat to a spot where she could be safely beached, and then landed the man at Seaham. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 1.35 P.M.—Rewards, £4 19s. Qd.
Barra Island, Hebrides. — On the morning of the 5th August the Lo westof t steam drifter Scadaun was returning to port during a thick fog when she struck a submerged rock outside Castlebay harbour. The motor life-boat Lloyd's was launched at 11.30 A.M. in response to calls for help from the drifter's siren, and found her in a dangerous position.
She had been able to launch her boat, and to this she transferred her gear while the life-boat remained standing by. The drifter became a total wreck.
The life-boat then put further out to sea to see if any other vessels needed help in the fog, but found none and re- turned to her station at 1.30 P.M.— Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.
New Brighton, Cheshire.—At about half-past eleven on the night of the 6th August the coastguard reported signals of distress from the direction of the Battery Rocks. The sea was rough with a strong tide running, and a moderate N.N.W. breeze was blowing.
A few minutes later the motor life-boat William and Kate Johnston left her moorings. On reaching the rocks she found the fishing boat Madge, of Liver- pool, aground. Her crew of two were taken into the life-boat, which returned to her station. A few minutes later the coastguard reported another boat in difficulties and the life-boat put out again. This time she found the Liver- pool fishing boat Bonny Breeze in danger of being swept against the sea-wall west of the Battery. She was taken in tow A* and anchored in a safe position. The life-boat returned to her moorings at 1.30 A.M.—Rewards, £10 5s.
Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—On the afternoon of the 9th August a tele- phone message was received from the coast watcher at Cahore that a ketch was ashore on the Rusk bank, about three miles from Cahore Point. A moderate to strong E. by N. wind was blowing, with a moderate sea. The motor life-boat K.E.C.F. was launched at 2.20 P.M., and found the ketch to be the Marie Celine, of Drogheda, bound laden from Glasgow to Wexford. She carried a crew of four. At her master's request the life-boat stood by until the ketch refloated on the rising tide, and then returned to her station. She arrived back at 11 P.M., having been on service for nearly nine hours.—Per- manent Crew, Rewards, £4 4s.
Bembridge, Isle of Wight.—On the 17th August the Foreland coastguard telephoned that a dinghy, with one man on board, had capsized near Ledge buoy. The motor life-boat Langham was just about to be launched when the man swam ashore. At the same time the coastguard telephoned again to say that a motor boat was in distress about one and a half miles off Horse Sands fort. The life-boat left at 2.45 P.M. in a moderate but squally S.W. by W. gale, with a very heavy sea. The motor boat was the Lady Betty, of Sea View, with one man aboard. She was towed safely back to Sea View and the life-boat arrived back at her station at 6 P.M. The man thanked the Institution and sent a donation.—Rewards, £6 10*. 6d.
Dungeness, Kent.—At 1.15 A.M. on the 23rd August the coxswain was told by the coastguard that a small vessel was burning distress signals about one mile N.E. of Lade coastguard station, A moderate southerly gale was blowing, with a choppy sea, and thick rain at times. The No. 2 motor life-boat Charles Cooper Henderson was launched at 1.57 A.M., and after a difficult search owing to very bad visibility found the vessel. She was the yacht Tinker, of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, with three persons on board. She had parted from her anchor and was drifting. At the request of her master the life-boat got a line aboard, and towed the yacht into Folkestone harbour, saving both the yacht and those on board. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 6.25 A.M. The owner expressed his thanks and sent a donation.—Re- wards, £29 11s.
St. Mary's, Scilly.—Two visitors put out from St. Mary's at noon on the 27th August to row between the islands.
They did not return, and at 8.55 P.M.
the coastguard telephoned that they had left Bryher about 7.30 P.M., and had been last seen off Sampson, not making much headway. An in- creasing strong breeze was blowing, with a choppy sea and patches of rain and fog. In these circumstances it was thought advisable to send out the motor life-boat Cunard to look for the boat before darkness fell. The Cunard left at 9.5 P.M. and eventually found the boat in the St. Mary's roadstead.
She rescued the two people and took them ashore, returning to her station at 10 P.M. A donation was received by the branch from one of the rescued.
—Rewards, £11 10s.
Margate, Kent.—At 11.17 P.M. on the 6th September the coxswain received a message from the Ramsgate coastguard that two ships had been in collision off N.E. Spit buoy. They were the s.s.
Archon, of Syra, Greece, bound with a cargo of maize from the Argentine to London, and the s.s. Treherbert, of London, bound for Cardiff. The motor life-boat Lord Southborough (Civil Ser- vice No. 1) was launched at 11.35 P.M., in a strong E. breeze, with a very rough sea. The Archon had foundered, and her crew of twentj four and the pilot had taken to the ship's boats. The coaster Dynamo, of Hull, had picked them up. The life-boat took the men off the coaster and landed them at Margate. She returned to her station at 1.40 A.M. next day, but could not be rehoused until later on account of bad weather.—Rewards, £16 12s. Qd.
Shoreham Harbour, Sussex.—On the afternoon of the 12th September the Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P., Secretary of State for the Dominions, went out in the motor boat Midge, with a friend and two members of his staff, to fish. The engine broke down and the boat began to drift. All attempts to row her ashore failed and handkerchiefs were tied to an oar as a distress signal. The coastguard saw the signal and the motor life-boat Rosa Woodd and Phyllis Lunn was launched to the rescue at 5.50 P.M. At that time a strong E.N.E.
breeze was blowing, the sea was rough, and it was raining. The life-boat came up with the Midge about two and a half miles S.W. of the harbour, took Mr. Thomas and the other three men on board, and towed the boat back to Shoreham. The life-boat returned to her station at 6.30 P.M. Mr. Thomas and one of the party sent donations in appreciation of the services of the life-boat.—Rewards, £4 10s.
The following life-boats were launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given : Poole and Bournemouth, Dorset. — 8th July. A small yacht stranded on the Hook Sands, but was refloated.— Rewards, £14 18s. Qd.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—llth July. A barge's sails had been damaged by a squall, but the master was able to go on without help.—Rewards, £14 15s. Qd.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—13th July. A motor boat was wrecked, but her crew of two swam ashore.—Rewards, £14 15s. Qd.
Weymouth, Dorset.—13th July. A small yacht had been reported in dis- tress, but it was found to be a lighted buoy which had drifted.—Rewards, £6 13s.
St. Mary's, Scilly.—22nd July. A French fishing boat had stranded in foggv weather, but did not need help.— Rewards, £10 11s.
Clacton - on • Sea, Essex.—23rd July.
Flares had been reported, but no vessel in distress could be found.—Rewards, £11.
Longhope, Orkneys.—25th July. A steam drifter stranded near Duncansby Head, but was helped by another drifter.—Rewards, £4 19s. Qd.
Dover, Kent.—26th July. A steamer making for Dover was seen to have flames coming from her funnel, but she did not need help.—Rewards, £3 15s.
BIyth, Northumberland.—27th July.
Three men were in difficulties in a small boat, but were picked up by a coble.—Rewards, £10 18s.
Hoylake, Cheshire.—27th July. A coasting vessel foundered, but her crew of four were rescued by another vessel.
—Rewards, £17 12s.
Holyhead, Anglesey.—28th July. A small boat was missing and the life-boat went in search of her, but she had made land unaided.—Rewards, £9 9s.
New Brighton, Cheshire.—28th July.
A trawler had stranded, but was found to have been abandoned.—Rewards, £4 12s. 6d.
Llandudno, Caernarvonshire. •—• 29th July. An aeroplane was reported to have dived into the sea, but the life- boat found nothing.—Rewards, £15 17s.
Beaumaris, Anglesey.—30th July. A sailing boat was seen endeavouring to land in a gale. She succeeded unaided.
—Rewards, £10 12s.
Walton and Frinton, Essex.—31st July.
A signal from the Clacton-on-Sea life- boat was mistaken as a call for more aid.
—Rewards, £8 10s. 6d. (An account of the Clacton service appears on page 156.) Hoylake, Cheshire. — 2nd August.
Two small motor boats were in diffi- culties, but another motor boat took them in tow.—Rewards, £18 4s. 6d.
Pwllheli, Caernarvonshire. — 3rd August. Shouts from one boat to another for a tow were mistaken on shore as calls for help.—Rewards, £2 Os. 6d.
Penlee, Cornwall.—4th August. A steamer had gone ashore on the Runnell Stone Rock, but refloated unaided.— Rewards, £5 11s. 6d.
Kingstown, Co. Dublin.—6th August.
A large tree trunk with two limbs was mistaken for an upturned boat.—Re- wards, £11 12s.
Ballycotton, Co. Cork.—10th August.
Two fishermen reported that they had picked up another fisherman's boat.
The life-boat went out to look for him and found his lobster pots, but no trace of the man.—Rewards, £4 10s. 6d.
Sunderland, Co. Durham. — llth August. A fishing coble had got into difficulties, but another coble towed her to safety.—Rewards, £11 11s. (An account of this service appears in Shore- boat Services on page 168.) Southend - on - Sea, Essex. — 16th August. A barge had sunk, but a passing steamer rescued her crew.— Rewards, £5 17s.
Portrush, Co. Antrim.—17th August.
A yacht had been seen in a dangerous position, but made harbour unaided.— Rewards, £4 4s.
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—17th August.
A small boat was in distress, but made land safely.—Rewards, £4 10s. Qd.
Weymouth, Dorset.— 18th August.
A small yacht went ashore on Portland breakwater, but her crew scrambled to safety.—Rewards, £4 7s. Qd.
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.—19th August. A raft was seen drifting. It came ashore with a dead body on it.— Rewards, £4 10s. 6d.
Weston - super - Mare, Somerset.—20th August. A small boat had been seen in difficulties, but could not be found.— Rewards, £10 4s. 6d.
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.—22nd August.
A barge had stranded on Buxey Sands, but refloated without help.—Rewards, £11.
Youghal, Co. Cork.—23rd August.
A fishing boat was being blown out to sea, but was picked up by another fishing boat.—Rewards, £4 5s.
Walton and Frinton, Essex.—23rd August. A steamer had grounded on the Shipwash Sands, but got off and went on her way.—Rewards, £7 15s.
Dover, Kent. — 24th August. A motor yacht had got out of control, but was towed in by a trawler.—Re- wards, £3 15*.
Hoylake, Cheshire.—2nd September.
A black and white buoy was mistaken for an aeroplane in the sea.—Rewards, £14 10*.
Porthdinllaen, Caernarvonshire.—3rd September. A seaplane had been re- ported to have dropped into the sea, but as a thorough search revealed nothing the report appears to have been a false alarm.—Rewards, £8 19s.
Port Erin, Isle of Man.—4th Sep- tember. A small boat was drifting, but made safety unaided.—Rewards, £11 16*.
Aldeburgh, Suffolk.—6th September.
A yacht was in distress, but drifted ashore, and those on board got to land unaided.—Rewards, £29 8s. 6d.
Walmer, Kent.—9th September. A small vessel was reported to have dis- appeared, but a search revealed nothing.
—Rewards, £20 11*.
October Meeting.
Torbay, Devonshire.—On the night of the 13th August the coast watcher at Babbacombe reported that a speed-boat was in difficulties, close to the shore, between Babbacombe and Anstey's Cove, Torquay. The east wind was very right, but a very strong easterly lop was running, and a fork lightning storm was raging. The motor life-boat George Shee was launched at 10.35 P.M., and eventually found the speed-boat Miss Torbay, of Torquay, in a very dangerous position, about one hundred yards off the rocks on a lee shore. She was anchored with a slender rope cable, but the anchor was dragging. She had been on a pleasure trip, carrying five men and two women, from Torquay to Babbacombe. but had had engine trouble while making the return journey. The two women and one of the men had already been rescued by a boat from Babbacombe. The remain- ing four men were taken into the life- boat, and the Miss Torbay was towed into Babbacombe. Mr. H. M. Smardon, the honorary secretary, accompanied the life-boat on the service, which lasted for three hours.—Property Sal- vage Case. (An account of the Sh0re- boat Service appears on page 168.) Cloughey, Co. Down.—On the morn- ing of the 15th August the coastguard brought news that a yacht in Dundrum Bay was flying distress signals. As the Newcastle life-boat was off service, it was decided to send the Cloughey motor life-boat William Maynardt arid she was launched at 12.45 P.M. A strong S.W. breeze was blowing and the sea was rough. The yacht was the Argo, of Whitehaven. Her boom had broken and she had started to drag her anchor.
When the life-boat arrived she found that a motor fishing boat had put out from Newcastle and was towing the yacht towards Killough harbour. The life-boat accompanied the boats into the harbour and then returned to her station, arriving there at 6 P.M.—Re- wards, £8 3*.
Selsey, Sussex.—On the 1st Septem- ber the coastguard telephoned that a message had been received that a motor boat with ten people on board was in distress and breaking up off West Wittering. A strong westerly breeze was blowing with a moderate sea. The motor life-boat Canadian Pacific was launched at 4.25 P.M., and found the motor yacht Samli, of Harwich, ashore on the West Pole sands off Hay ling Island. She was bound from Southampton to New- haven. The life-boat got a line on board and towed the yacht into Ports- mouth. She arrived back at her station at 12.30 A.M. next day.— Property Salvage Case.
Hythe, Kent.—On the 8th September the coxswain, when going out fishing, found a small yacht, the Jersey, of Poole, with four people on board, at anchor off Sandgate. Her skipper asked to be towed to Folkestone, but owing to the state of the tide this was impossible. The coxswain returned from fishing at 1 A.M. next day and asked the coastguard to keep a look- out on the yacht. At 9.30 A.M. she was seen to be labouring heavily, and although no distress signal had been made it was thought advisable to launch the motor life-boat City of Nottingham.
An E.N.E. gale was blowing with a very heavy sea. At the skipper's re- quest some life-boatmen went on board and pumped out the yacht, which was then towed to Dover. The yacht's owner gave a monetary present to the life-boat crew for their help. The life- boat arrived back at her station at 7 P.M., after having been on service for nearly eight hours.—Rewards, £10 9«. 6d.
Troon, Ayrshire.—It was reported on the evening of the 13th September that a party of nine people were stranded on Lady Isle, about three miles from Troon, in the Firth of Clyde. They had left Prestwick at 3 P.M. in a motor boat and had landed on the island safely, but a strong N.N.W. breeze had sprung up, bringing a heavy sea, and when the party prepared to return to the main- land the boat hit the rocks and sprang a leak. The boatman was alone in the boat. He tried to get her ashore, but failed, and in his endeavours to moor her his ankle was badly smashed. He then decided to try and reach the main- land for help, but the engine broke down. Luckily the boat drifted to- wards the Prestwick shore, where she was seen and picked up, and the boat- man gave the alarm. The motor life- boat Sir David Richmond of Glasgow was launched at 9.15 P.M., with her boarding boat in tow. The party was taken into the life-boat and landed safely at Troon, and the life-boat re- turned to her station at 11 P.M. Mr.
John Bell, the honorary secretary, accompanied her on service.—Rewards, £5 6s.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.
—On the 14th September the Hais- borough coastguard passed the news that a vessel about two miles south of Haisborough, and heading south, was on fire. She was the steamer Porthcavol. of Cardiff, bound with a cargo of esparto grass from North Africa to Granton. She carried a crew of twenty-five. The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston motor life-boat John and Mary Meiklam of Gladswood was launched at 4 P.M., in a strong N.N.W.
gale, with a heavy sea. She came up with the Porthcawl just north of Caister, and the captain ran his ship ashore on the upper part of Caister Patch. By this time the flames, which had been confined to the fore part, had spread all along the ship, and the deck cargo was on fire. The life-boat could not approach on the windward side on account of the heavy sea, and had to get under the steamer's lee, where she lay, with burning material dropping into her all the time, until, with great difficulty, the crew of twenty-five had been rescued. Then, at the captain's request, the life-boat stood by for some time in case the Porthcawl refloated.
Later a tug arrived and the captain and chief officer, together with three life- boatmen, were transferred to her. The life-boat then made for home, the tug following. The life-boat got back to harbour at 7.30 P.M. The Cromer motor life-boat was also launched, but found that the crew had already been rescued. The Committee granted ad- ditional monetary rewards to the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston crew. The owners wrote thanking the Institution for its help.—Rewards, Great Yar- mouth and Gorleston, £21 14s.; Cromer, £16 2s. 6d.
Lowestoft, Suffolk.—Early on the morning of the 14th September the coxswain received a telephone message from the coastguard that a vessel was in distress east of the look-out. A strong northerly gale was blowing, with a very heavy sea, and it was raining.
The motor life-boat Agnes Cross was launched at 5.20 A.M. and found the vessel to be the motor trawler Flag Jack, of Lowestoft, returning from the fishing grounds with a crew of seven. Her engine was out of order and she was waterlogged. She had grounded on one of the outer banks and in getting off had holed herself rather badly. At the master's request the life-boat stood by until a tug arrived. The tug took the trawler in tow and beached her, the life-boat keeping alongside all the time.
The life-boat arrived back at her station at 7.30 A.M.—Rewards, £20 185. 6d.
South wold, Suffolk.—On the 14th September the motor fishing boat Ruby, of Lowestoft, with one man on board, was seen to be in difficulties and flying a distress signal, after making two attempts to get into harbour. A strong north breeze was blowing, with a heavy swell on the bar. The motor life-boat Mary Scott was launched at 1 P.M. and towed the Ruby into harbour.—Re- wards, £8 8s.
Wicklow—On the 19th September four fishing boats which had left har- bour early in the morning were seen to be in trouble five or six miles north of the harbour. A moderate S.S.E. gale had sprung up, bringing a rough sea and heavy rain. The motor life-boat Robert Theophilus Garden was launched at 9.30 A.M., and went first to one of the boats which was flying distress signals. Her crew were in an ex- hausted condition, one of them, a boy of fourteen, being nearly dead. They were taken into the life-boat and given stimulants. Artificial respiration was applied to the boy. The crews of the other three boats were then rescued, and the life-boat returned to harbour with the four boats in tow. The boats were Polly, Mary, Congress Bell, and Sheila, and each carried a crew of three.
The life-boat arrived back at her station at noon.—Rewards, £6 Os. 6d.
Dover, Kent.—On the 21st Septem- ber one of two Royal Air Force launches which were on passage from Calshot to Felixstowe had trouble with her engine about two miles S.W. of the Admiralty Pier, Dover. The other launch made for Dover and telephoned to the life-boat coxswain for help. The motor life-boat Sir William Hillary put out at 10.23 P.M., in a strong N.E. breeze with a rough sea. She came up with the launch about one mile S.W. of Dover and escorted her into harbour, where the second coxswain boarded her and moored her safely in the Camber. The life-boat arrived back at her station at 11.20 P.M.—Rewards, £3 15s.
Kirkcudbright.—On the evening of the 24th September a message was re- ceived from the lighthouse-keeper on Ross Island that a sailing dinghy with two men had gone ashore on Richard- son's Rock, which is between Ross Island and the mainland. The men had signalled to the keeper that they wished to be taken ashore, and as it was getting dark it was decided to send the motor life-boat Morison Watson to their help. She was launched at 7 P.M.
in a moderate N.E. breeze. The sea was smooth. She stood by until the dinghy refloated and then, after taking the men on board, towed the boat to safety. She arrived back at her station at 4 A.M. next day, having been on service for nine hours.—Rewards, £10 13s.
The following life-boats were launched, but no services were rendered for the reasons given : Shoreham Harbour, Sussex. •=— 5th September. A small motor boat was in difficulties, but her occupants got away in another boat.—Rewards, £4 10s.
Hythe, Kent.—15th September. It had been reported that a small boat had capsized. A thorough search was made, but nothing was found.—Re- wards, £18 18s. 6d.
Lerwick, Shetland's.—19th September.
A small boat was thought to be missing, but got home safely without help.— Rewards, £4 7s. 6d.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Norfolk.
—19th September. A yacht ran ashore on Scroby Sands, but refloated unaided.
—Rewards, £9 13s.
Rosslare Harbour, Co. Wexford.—21st September. A fishing boat was out in bad weather, and a search was made for her, but in the meantime she had made harbour.—Rewards, £2 16s.
Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.— 24th September. A balloon from Ger- many drifting towards land very low appeared likely to fall in the sea, but came down on Spittal beach.—Re- wards, £4 16s. 6d.
Poole and Bournemouth and Swanage, Dorset.—25th September. A small boat capsized near Old Harry Rocks at night, and one of the men on board, after swimming for several hours, reached Sandbanks and asked for help.
The life-boats were launched. Nothing could be found of the other two men, but the boat was picked up by a steamer and the sail by the Swanage life-boat.—Rewards, Poole and Bourne- mouth, £29 9s. 6d.; Swanage, £16 16s.
Poolbeg, Co. Dublin.—25th September.
It had been reported that a small boat was drifting out of control, but the re- port proved to be unfounded.—Re- wards, £14 13s.
Hartlepool, Co. Durham, and Teesmouth, Yorkshire.—27th September. A Royal Air Force aeroplane had come down in the sea in a fog on the previous day. A search over a wide area revealed noth- ing.—Rewards, Hartlepool, £6 7s. 6d.; Teesmouth, £8 15s.
Filey, Yorkshire.—28th September. A drifter had struck the rocks, but her crew got away in a small boat and were picked up by a fishing boat.—Rewards, £10 7s. 6d.
Cromer, Norfolk.—29th September. A drifter stranded on the Haisborough Sands, but refloated without help.—- Rewards, £8 16s. 6d.
Walmer, Kent.—6th October. A collision occurred between two steamers in a dense fog, but both, although damaged, declined help.—Rewards, £30 16s. 60'.
Cromer, Norfolk.—6th October. A large steamer grounded on the Hais- borough Sands, but got oft unaided and went on her way.—Rewards, £26 4s. 6d..